Before we get started here I just want to take a second, before I forget and let you know we have created a couple of excellent resources for any runner, may be struggling with hip arthritis…
The first one is an interview I did with the Bionic Runner. Eric (who is know non social media as The Bionic Runner) has now had two hip replacements to deal with his severely degenerated hips and long-standing hip arthritis. He has even run marathons faster than the majority of marathon runners with one artificial hip and another hip that needed to have the total joint replacement. His story is really inspiring. And the reason I decided to add that as a resource for you is that his case kind of is the worst case scenario. It’s where the arthritis was so badly needed to have surgery to replace the hips. And yet, Eric has kept running.
The second resource we have for you comes from today’s, Martha. Martha has secured a 5% discount code for anyone thinking about signing up for one of the Coastal Trail Runs or Zoom running events. And she’s agreed to share that with all of you listening today.
Both of these resources are free and they’ll be available to you at the show notes page for this episode under the podcast have at DocOnTheRun.com check them out when you get done with this episode.
Arthritis, of any type can cause a lot of pain. The word arthritis really and truly just means inflammation within a joint. There are lots of different kinds of arthritis. But in general when a runner hears a doctor deliver a diagnosis of “arthritis” it’s pretty easy to start thinking your running are numbered.
But sometimes you just need a shift in perspective.
Our guest today is interesting, determined and inspiring! You may already know Martha as the host of her podcast Martha Runs The World. The title of her most recent podcast episode was, Race canceled? Do it anyway! So her attitude really says it all!
If you’re runner and you’ve been worried that you might have arthritis in your hips or your knees or anywhere else I can assure you you’re going to hear from Martha today.
Martha, welcome to the show!
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Thanks for having me, get to be here, etc….
Dr. Segler: So, before we get into some questions maybe you could just give us a little bit more detail about your running history and why you became so interested in trail running and ultramarathons.
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: How did all of that lead to you starting to Martha Runs The World podcast?
Martha Hughes (check out the podcast audio to hear what s he had to say)
Dr. Segler: So tell us about your arthritis story. What do you think caused initial damage in the hip?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: When the hip pain first started, did you really understand what was going on, or what did you think was injured in your hip joint?
Martha Hughes (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: How long did it take before you realized how serious the injury was?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: One of our defining moments in a runner’s journey is when a doctor tells you that the condition may, or even will probably, get worse and you might have to have surgery at some point?
Once you saw a doctor and figured out what was going on, once had the official diagnosis of hip arthritis did you get worried? How did you deal with the anxiety of having arthritis and its potential effects on your ability to run?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: People think of pain when they think of an injury. But for an injured runner, the pain is the least of the problems. You start worrying about having to cancel a race. You start worrying about losing your fitness. You might even start worrying about not being able to run with your friends anymore.
What was the worst part about coming to terms with having hip arthritis?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: Is a huge range of treatments for arthritis, everything from decreasing activity, braces, medications, acupuncture, physical therapy, taping, home exercises and even surgery.
Did any doctor told you to stop running? And were there anythings that doctors recommended but weren’t really helping…or treatments did you try that really didn’t seem to help?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: I think one of the most important points that we can take away from your journey is that you should not let a doctor convince you to have surgery when there are so many other arthritis treatments options. But maybe even more importantly, every runner who gets a running injury has to understand that there is a solution. There is a treatment that will work in your case. And if you tried some things and you’re not getting better, and you just haven’t found the solution for you, yet.
What did you finally start doing that seemed to help you turn the corner and get back on the path to recovery with hip arthritis?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what he had to say)
Dr. Segler: Treating running injuries is not that difficult. Any doctor can help. But keeping runners running while they are injured can be very difficult. But it is most often possible.
I have found that when someone gets a problem like arthritis and then starts to return to running, the recovering runner often develops lots of anxiety, fears and they hold back (sometimes a little bit too much) because they don’t want the injury to flare up again.
Once you felt like you’re getting better and started to run again, what was your biggest worry?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what he had to say)
Dr. Segler: One thing to get advice from a doctor, but I think it’s often far more helpful to hear the story, the feelings and all the emotions that go along with that injury from someone like you, who just happens to be open enough to willingly share it like you have here. So I’m really grateful for you and your willingness to share your story with all of our listeners.
For all the people listening right now I might have a hip injury or the beginnings of hip arthritis, but really aren’t sure what they should, what advice would you give them?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: What sort of mental shifts did you have to make in the way that you viewed running once you realize you had this condition that could potentially degenerate if you just ignored it and kept running the way you were before?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: Okay I’m at a go go ahead and say that I think everybody should check out your Podcast, Martha Runs the World,
and all of you listening right now should go follow Martha Hughes on social media, and subscribe to her podcast. We’ll have all the link in the show notes episode under the podcast section at DocOnTheRun.com.
And if anybody is trying to figure out how they can, follow you, connect with you, or reach out to you directly, how can they best connect with you?
Martha Hughes: (check out the podcast audio to hear what she had to say)
Dr. Segler: Martha, thanks so much for taking time out of your schedule to share your story and inspiration with our listeners today. I’ve certainly learned a lot today and it’s really been great having you on the show!
Links and resources mentioned in this episode:
Martha Runs the World Podcast Website: https://www.martharunstheworld.com
Follow Martha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martharunstheworld/
Email Martha: martharunstheworld@gmail.com
Follow Martha on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Martharunstheworld/
5% discount on Coastal Trail Runs: http://www.coastaltrailruns.com For a 5% discount, use code: MRTW5
Bionic Runner interview: #231 Can I Run After Total Joint Replacement Surgery With The BionicRunner
Pain is the best tool to help an injured runner decide when run. You don’t have to figure out what to write down. We made a simple Pain Journal PDF for you.
To print out your copy of the pain journal, Download here:
If you have a question that you would like answered as a future addition of the Doc On The Run Podcast, send it to me PodcastQuestion@docontherun.com. And then make sure you join me for the next edition of the Doc On The Run Podcast!
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